Automated microwave turntable

Abstract

An automated microwave cooking device turntable assembly includes an anchor member nested to a bottom surface of a microwave cooking device and extending upwardly within a cavity thereof. A drive gear is journaled about the anchor member and rotatable along a counter clockwise direction, and a body is seated on the drive gear and coupled thereto. A mechanism rotates the drive gear such that the annular body terminates at a position that insures that an item placed on the body remains identically oriented at a beginning and an ending of the cooking time. The rotating mechanism includes a peg that protrudes upwardly from the drive gear and is positioned along an outer edge thereof. A motor is coupled to the drive gear, and a switch is coupled to the motor and a power supply source respectively. An actuating arm is coupled to the switch.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 742,223, filed Dec. 5, 2005, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX[0003]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Technical Field[0005]This invention relates to microwave turntables and, more particularly, to an independently actuated turntable assembly for use with a microwave cooking device having an access door provided with a planar front edge registered along a front face of the microwave.[0006]2. Prior Art[0007]Portable turntables for microwave ovens are known and are commonly available in consumer markets. Such devices typically comprise a stationary base, a rotatable platform mounted to the base, and a drive motor. An on / off switching mechanism is generally provided to control the rotational movement ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The assembly further includes a mechanism for independently rotating the drive gear after a cooking time of the microwave cooking device has lapsed such that the annular body effectively terminates at a position identical to the initial position and thereby advantageously insures that an item placed on the body conveniently remains identically oriented at a beginning and an ending of the cooking time.

[0020]A motor is directly connected to the drive gear, and a switch is electrically coupled to the motor. A logic gate is electrically coupled to the first and second sensors and the switch respectively. The first and second sensors effectively generate and transmit respective input signals to the logic gate when the first and second sensors become aligned. Such a logic gate interprets the input signals and transmits an output signal to the switch that toggles the switch to an open position and thereby effectively interrupts power to the motor such that the drive gear and the body conveniently stop at the initial position.

Problems solved by technology

Achievement of a suitable on / off switch for microwave turntables has proven illusive.

While the above switch mechanism works well, it has certain deficiencies which prevent it from achieving all of the above-discussed performance requirements.

First, operation of a sliding switch is cumbersome and can result in the turntable being pushed or pulled in jarring fashion.

Undesired spillage of food stuffs supported by the turntable can result.

Further, sliding actuation can cause the tooth of the sliding mechanism to stub against the gear teeth along the rim flange.

However, such a procedure in the small confines of a microwave oven is awkward and can, again, result in foodstuff spillage.

Unfortunately, this prior art example requires manual operation of the switch mechanism wherein such a mechanism can be broken or damaged, thus rendering the invention useless for its intended purpose.

In addition, this example does not provide a means of automatically returning the turntable to its starting position when cooking operations are completed.

Unfortunately, this prior art example is cumbersome and occupies a large amount of interior space of a microwave while in use.

In addition, this example also does not provide a means of automatically returning the turntable to its starting position when cooking operations are completed.

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